MFP: "You are eating too few calories..."
Replies
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Weird, I routinely eat too few calories and MFP never tells me that message. Or maybe I never notice it?
If I eat too few calories per day, I don't lose weight and I am tired and have stomach problems. So yes, I try to eat enough every day.0 -
What I don't understand is (unless you are here in order to gain weight after an ED/or have a medical condition) if you are on MFP to lose weight then, at some point, you were quite easily eating your TDEE in calories and beyond to have gained. So why is it now magically so hard to eat your goal calories which falls either 500 cals or 20% below your TDEE?
The assumption that someone was overweight because they were eating more than their TDEE in calories is erroneous. Weight gain does not result only from overeating (in fact there are people who routinely "overeat" and do not gain weight.)0 -
I just started, and both days I have eaten "too few" calories. Today I have 380 left over and yesterday I had 519 left. Blah blah "starvation mode" I'll listen if I start packing on the pounds from, le gasp, eating around 1,000 cals per day.
Yesterday you netted 681 calories and ate 17g of protein. Are you looking to lose weight or fat?
Learning how to eat properly is what's most important, not just losing weight. What do you think is going to happen once you hit your goal and you stop logging if you keep starving yourself?I do feel hungry eating like this but that's not what's important here.
Just honestly trying to help you here.
1. My main goal weight/fat wise is to hit 115 lbs. Secondary is maybe a slight difference in appearance, but as you can see, it's not a big difference in weight I'm looking for so a big difference is not something I will see, it's more about the number. The carb, protein, fat information is stuff I have not thought about before, a month ago I knew very little about calories and calorie tracking and now that is something I focus on as well as cutting down junk food, which is my overall goal.
I'm not starving myself just because I'm often hungry. Honestly, I still got hungry eating a good 4-5 meals, with fatty foods, per day (and was at a decent weight then, BMI in the 18-20 range). This is just more hunger, which I can deal with.0 -
I don't use the Recommended Goal set up, I use Custom for my goals because I don't believe in the ratios MFP provides for your body.
To keep your body at a fat-burning pace while still gaining lean muscle and maintaining a fuller feeling and high energy level, your body thrives off a 40/40/20 plan--meaning 40% carbs, 40% protein, and 20% fat.
To figure out your daily caloric intake, this site can give you a BMR (basal metabolic rate) meaning the BASIC calories you need per day to survive based on your height, age, weight and gender.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
Once you figure out your BMR, the Harris Benedict equation adds in your activity level. THIS is what you should be consuming per day in terms of caloric intake.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/
HOWEVER, if you want to LOOSE weight, refer to this area of the site.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/calorie-intake-to-lose-weight.php
HOWEVER, if you want to GAIN weight, refer to this area of the site.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/calorie-intake-to-gain-weight.php
I consume about 1600 calories/day with the 40/40/20 plan and a clean diet. I have never felt better!
In reference to "eating back" the deficit I added in from my HR monitor for the workout that day, I don't eat back those calories. A healthy deficit is about 500-1000 calories a day to loose 1-2 pounds per week.
Hope this helps ( : feel free to add me for support and motivation--I would love to help!0 -
I've only got that message when under 1200 since I think that is the bare minimum that it wants women to go to. It never says that if I just ate under my base goal or if I have a boatload of exercise cals left.0
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I could never eat under 1200 calories,I have hit my goal weight by eatting between 1800 and 2000 calories a day,lost 81 pounds in 16 months,slow weight loss so I know it will stay off,now that I hit my weight goal I eat around 2200 calories a day and focus on bf% started at 28% bf now at 14%..dont understand why anyone would want to starve themselves,this is not a diet ,it a change in the way I live my life and eat.I eat what I want ,in moderation.healthy choices for the most part but 5 to 10% junk..I love chocolate and am not willing to give up the foods that I love,,I just dont eat a whole bag of chocolate chip cookies any more,,one or 2 will take away the craving...eat to lose weight ...have to love it0
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What I don't understand is (unless you are here in order to gain weight after an ED/or have a medical condition) if you are on MFP to lose weight then, at some point, you were quite easily eating your TDEE in calories and beyond to have gained. So why is it now magically so hard to eat your goal calories which falls either 500 cals or 20% below your TDEE?
The assumption that someone was overweight because they were eating more than their TDEE in calories is erroneous. Weight gain does not result only from overeating (in fact there are people who routinely "overeat" and do not gain weight.)
Unless you have a medical condition (as I said above) if you eat over your total daily energy expenditure you gain. If you eat under the amount of energy you expend you don't. Assuming they were eating over their TDEE rountinely to gain weight would not be an erroneous assumption at all. We became overweight because we put more energy into our bodies than we could use.0 -
I have had some of those messages before with MFP but recently I have not and I do eat back some of my exercise calories... I know somedays I should save them but if I'm really hungry I can't deprive or starve myself - if I did that I would never lose weight the healthy way and just gain it all back... for me its not a diet its a lifestyle change.0
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What I don't understand is (unless you are here in order to gain weight after an ED/or have a medical condition) if you are on MFP to lose weight then, at some point, you were quite easily eating your TDEE in calories and beyond to have gained. So why is it now magically so hard to eat your goal calories which falls either 500 cals or 20% below your TDEE?
The assumption that someone was overweight because they were eating more than their TDEE in calories is erroneous. Weight gain does not result only from overeating (in fact there are people who routinely "overeat" and do not gain weight.)
Can you ask these people to let us know how they defied the laws of thermodynamics?
And to all those who are having trouble reaching 1200cals.
Don't worry, it's all natural "healthy" fats.
And fat doesn't make you fat.0 -
What I don't understand is (unless you are here in order to gain weight after an ED/or have a medical condition) if you are on MFP to lose weight then, at some point, you were quite easily eating your TDEE in calories and beyond to have gained. So why is it now magically so hard to eat your goal calories which falls either 500 cals or 20% below your TDEE?
The assumption that someone was overweight because they were eating more than their TDEE in calories is erroneous. Weight gain does not result only from overeating (in fact there are people who routinely "overeat" and do not gain weight.)
Why are the laws of thermodynamics not applicable to some people. If the calories they eat was less than the calorie they burned how did they gain weight? The inverse question applies also.0 -
I just started, and both days I have eaten "too few" calories. Today I have 380 left over and yesterday I had 519 left. Blah blah "starvation mode" I'll listen if I start packing on the pounds from, le gasp, eating around 1,000 cals per day.
Yesterday you netted 681 calories and ate 17g of protein. Are you looking to lose weight or fat?
Learning how to eat properly is what's most important, not just losing weight. What do you think is going to happen once you hit your goal and you stop logging if you keep starving yourself?I do feel hungry eating like this but that's not what's important here.
Just honestly trying to help you here.
1. My main goal weight/fat wise is to hit 115 lbs. Secondary is maybe a slight difference in appearance, but as you can see, it's not a big difference in weight I'm looking for so a big difference is not something I will see, it's more about the number. The carb, protein, fat information is stuff I have not thought about before, a month ago I knew very little about calories and calorie tracking and now that is something I focus on as well as cutting down junk food, which is my overall goal.
I'm not starving myself just because I'm often hungry. Honestly, I still got hungry eating a good 4-5 meals, with fatty foods, per day (and was at a decent weight then, BMI in the 18-20 range). This is just more hunger, which I can deal with.
But... why? You aren't going to see a difference, you've just admitted that. Why are you so focused on the number?
Why would you put your body through not getting what it needs, and suffer all that hunger, for something that's not going to make any difference to you or your appearance whatsoever?0 -
The only times I got that message was when I had a stomach flu and couldn't eat, and when I hit the "complete this entry" button too soon.0
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Where does this message appear? I've never gotten it. Although, I normally eat all of the 1500 "Goal" calories I'm allotted. I eat "back" about half of the exercise calories it gives me, because (in my humble opinion) the amount of calories burned is generally calculated far too high.0
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Considering my 1-2 lb weight loss a week I assume I am taking in the proper amount of calories, even if its a little less some days. Oh and i don't ever eat back the calories I burn, I didn't know it had to be that way :ohwell:
Two points:
1) Wouldn't the whole process be better if you could lose 1-2 lbs/wk and eat like 500 more calories more (I have no idea the actual numbers, but the fact that you're getting the message suggests that it's less than 1200, and lots of women, lots, lose around 1600 cals/day)
2) You might be losing a higher than desirable % of muscle mass. The problem with that is that when people lose a high % of muscle mass, they get to goal weight and still look doughy. Most people should be trying to lose as high as possible a % of fat, and for that, smaller calorie deficits work better.
^This I lose at around 1650 a day. Which is a 20% deficit for me. I'm getting ready to adjust to a 10-15% cut, because I'm closer to goal (about 20 pounds, give or take) And I'm lifting weights. I don't want my body trying to eat the muscle I'm working so hard for.0 -
This is a little hard to understand since I've only started counting calories since I had my baby which was like October..
I know my bmr is about 1520 and I know that with a deficit of 20% in order to lose weight I should consume about 1220.
You do make sence tho bean with the whole eat 500 more cAlories lol but yeah I just recently started tracking my body fat % but haven't been able to compare it, ill do that a week from now..
Btw I'm 5'3 157 lb 22 yrs old
Your cut isn't supposed to come from your BMR. It's supposed to come from your TDEE.
ETA: Bean got it
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I have never in my time on here seen that message. I eat between 2500-3000 calories a day to lose on most days. I make it a point to eat back all my exercise calories. And I am seeing amazing progress.0
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I'm pretty sure it's more likely that I'll see a unicorn than ever see that message. 0
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Sometimes... usually when I've been sick and don't eat. Yes, I stay close to my goal.... or try to, my problem is going waaaaay over
And no I don't eat back all my exercise calories, maybe half. 0 -
Learning how to eat properly is what's most important, not just losing weight. What do you think is going to happen once you hit your goal and you stop logging if you keep starving yourself?I do feel hungry eating like this but that's not what's important here.
The importance of that statement cannot be overemphasized. OP and others, PLEASE read it again. Relearning how to live and eat to be healthy for LIFE is what is critical here, not dropping those lbs right now or yesterday.0 -
it said that to me last week once but I'd either never seen it before or hadn't noticed. And I was prolly a couple hundred calories too low that day. But since I don't eat very many of my exercise calories it always says I have some ridiculous amt left, yet doesn't say it on those days. So last week I was 200 off and got the msg but tonight I could eat 3800 more without going over and it won't say anything? I dont think that makes sense.
it only says it if you've had under 1200 calories (net)
I've gotten it once when I was sick and couldn't eat much then another time cause I woke up late and had lunch and dinner, no breakfast0 -
I never eat back my workout calories. I eat just under 1500 cals a day but some days I may work off 900 cals but leave them in the bank.0
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To maintain my weight I'm only supposed to eat around 1400 calories per day, to lose I can only eat 1200. Women should never eat less than 1200 per day, or your body may go into starvation mode and quit burning and just store everything you take in. I typically do not eat back much of what I have burned exercising though, unless I finish a workout hungry! This message pops up for me a lot, even when I'm very close to 1200, I'm assuming due to the fact that I don't eat back what I burn.0
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Ive had that message a few times and I dont like it, any red numbers in my macros bring out my sadface too :sad:
Im walking proof of the 'eat too few calories, stall your weightloss' so Ive upped them. Still struggle somedays to get in the recommended amount (my old eating habits were diabolical for health, great for cals... cheese, bread, cheese, bread and more bread) but I bought a secret weapon today. Peanut butter
Im in heaven with a tbsp of peanut butter and sliced apple... NOM
When it comes to exercise cals if Im hungry damn straight Ill eat them, if not Ill bank them.0 -
I've gotten this twice in 6 months, I tend to save my exercise cals for the weekend I've set my cals at 1400 but tend to eat 2000+ at the weekends, however according to my progress graph I appear to average 1600 cals net (because I save my weekday excersice cals and eat whatever on weekends my graphs all over the place lol) I'm losing at least a pound a week at the mo and I have a healthy BMI of 22.5 aiming for a BMI of 21 no lower than 20.5 (I know bmi's don't work for everyone but the system seems to fit me as I'm average build and lightly active)
I wouldn't like to get under 1200 (or even 1400) very often at all, I'm scared to death I'd knacker my hair, teeth and nails or lose muscle instead of fat (plus less vain complications lol), on top of the fact that I'd probably crack and give up. :P
Good luck finding your sweet spot when it comes to calories but as I said I'm average 1600 net and finding it quite easy to lose at the mo without feeling hungry, just making sure I plan ahead and give myself some wiggle room for the weekend 0 -
To maintain my weight I'm only supposed to eat around 1400 calories per day, to lose I can only eat 1200. Women should never eat less than 1200 per day, or your body may go into starvation mode and quit burning and just store everything you take in. I typically do not eat back much of what I have burned exercising though, unless I finish a workout hungry! This message pops up for me a lot, even when I'm very close to 1200, I'm assuming due to the fact that I don't eat back what I burn.
Are you sure that 1400 cal figure isn't your BMR rather than your TDEE? Your BMR is the cals you need to maintain your weight if you were in a coma, TDEE is cals you need to maintain your weight sitting at your desk, climbing stairs, preparing lunch, and generally going through your sedentary - active daily routine. For example my sedentary TDEE is around the 1750* mark.
*Edit 1675cals haven't worked it out for a bit ;P0 -
haven't gotten that message, and probably never will:drinker:0
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I just started, and both days I have eaten "too few" calories. Today I have 380 left over and yesterday I had 519 left. Blah blah "starvation mode" I'll listen if I start packing on the pounds from, le gasp, eating around 1,000 cals per day.
Yesterday you netted 681 calories and ate 17g of protein. Are you looking to lose weight or fat?
Learning how to eat properly is what's most important, not just losing weight. What do you think is going to happen once you hit your goal and you stop logging if you keep starving yourself?I do feel hungry eating like this but that's not what's important here.
Just honestly trying to help you here.
1. My main goal weight/fat wise is to hit 115 lbs. Secondary is maybe a slight difference in appearance, but as you can see, it's not a big difference in weight I'm looking for so a big difference is not something I will see, it's more about the number. The carb, protein, fat information is stuff I have not thought about before, a month ago I knew very little about calories and calorie tracking and now that is something I focus on as well as cutting down junk food, which is my overall goal.
I'm not starving myself just because I'm often hungry. Honestly, I still got hungry eating a good 4-5 meals, with fatty foods, per day (and was at a decent weight then, BMI in the 18-20 range). This is just more hunger, which I can deal with.
But... why? You aren't going to see a difference, you've just admitted that. Why are you so focused on the number?
Why would you put your body through not getting what it needs, and suffer all that hunger, for something that's not going to make any difference to you or your appearance whatsoever?
It will make a difference to me. I want to hit 115, that will make a difference to me. All my life I've been one of those "naturally thin" people, weighed about 124-128 while eating quite a bit of junk and quite a bit of food. Now it's time to see what can happen if I actually try, and I've already gone from 126 to 119ish without really trying, just focusing on cutting out junk with a bit of focus on weight at the end (pre-MFP). Like I said, hunger is not new to me, there's just more of it now.
And in case anyone clicks on my diary in the next few days and goes "ha! Ha! She isn't losing weight!" it's because my bloatin' days are nearing : )0 -
I just started, and both days I have eaten "too few" calories. Today I have 380 left over and yesterday I had 519 left. Blah blah "starvation mode" I'll listen if I start packing on the pounds from, le gasp, eating around 1,000 cals per day.
Yesterday you netted 681 calories and ate 17g of protein. Are you looking to lose weight or fat?
Learning how to eat properly is what's most important, not just losing weight. What do you think is going to happen once you hit your goal and you stop logging if you keep starving yourself?I do feel hungry eating like this but that's not what's important here.
Just honestly trying to help you here.
1. My main goal weight/fat wise is to hit 115 lbs. Secondary is maybe a slight difference in appearance, but as you can see, it's not a big difference in weight I'm looking for so a big difference is not something I will see, it's more about the number. The carb, protein, fat information is stuff I have not thought about before, a month ago I knew very little about calories and calorie tracking and now that is something I focus on as well as cutting down junk food, which is my overall goal.
I'm not starving myself just because I'm often hungry. Honestly, I still got hungry eating a good 4-5 meals, with fatty foods, per day (and was at a decent weight then, BMI in the 18-20 range). This is just more hunger, which I can deal with.
But... why? You aren't going to see a difference, you've just admitted that. Why are you so focused on the number?
Why would you put your body through not getting what it needs, and suffer all that hunger, for something that's not going to make any difference to you or your appearance whatsoever?
It will make a difference to me. I want to hit 115, that will make a difference to me. All my life I've been one of those "naturally thin" people, weighed about 124-128 while eating quite a bit of junk and quite a bit of food. Now it's time to see what can happen if I actually try, and I've already gone from 126 to 119ish without really trying, just focusing on cutting out junk with a bit of focus on weight at the end (pre-MFP). Like I said, hunger is not new to me, there's just more of it now.
And in case anyone clicks on my diary in the next few days and goes "ha! Ha! She isn't losing weight!" it's because my bloatin' days are nearing : )
To be fair, you say 'all your life', yet you are only 18. I ate what I wanted as well till I was about 21, then suddenly my weight shot up, and I continued to eat what I wanted, hence my position now.
You say you just want to see what happens if you actually try - putting your body thorough that for some kind of experiment isn't good for you.
I understand wanting to be healthier, fitter, less flabby, etc, but there are ways to get that rather than drastically cutting your calories to less than 1000 a day.
Each to their own, of course, but you shouldn't be coming on here and broadcasting your VLCD as though it's something to be proud of. Saying things like 'I do feel hungry but that's not what's important here' is not something that should be read by some of the younger, inexperienced, more easily influenced members there are on here.0 -
To be fair, you say 'all your life', yet you are only 18. I ate what I wanted as well till I was about 21, then suddenly my weight shot up, and I continued to eat what I wanted, hence my position now.
You say you just want to see what happens if you actually try - putting your body thorough that for some kind of experiment isn't good for you.
I understand wanting to be healthier, fitter, less flabby, etc, but there are ways to get that rather than drastically cutting your calories to less than 1000 a day.
Each to their own, of course, but you shouldn't be coming on here and broadcasting your VLCD as though it's something to be proud of. Saying things like 'I do feel hungry but that's not what's important here' is not something that should be read by some of the younger, inexperienced, more easily influenced members there are on here.
Yes there are other ways. I know there are other ways. This is the way I'm going get what I want. Didn't know it came across as bragging, it's not something I'm proud or ashamed of, it's just what I am doing.0 -
you are confusing your BMR and TDEE.... you shouldn't eat below your BMR and somewhere between the two is best.This is a little hard to understand since I've only started counting calories since I had my baby which was like October..
I know my bmr is about 1520 and I know that with a deficit of 20% in order to lose weight I should consume about 1220.
You do make sence tho bean with the whole eat 500 more cAlories lol but yeah I just recently started tracking my body fat % but haven't been able to compare it, ill do that a week from now..
Btw I'm 5'3 157 lb 22 yrs old0
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